AMPATI: A day-long Youth Health Festival 2020 on the theme ‘Mind Matters’ was organised under Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) — an adolescent health programme, by the District Health Society, South West Garo Hills in convergence with the National AYUSH Mission, National Rural Health Program & District Mental Health Programme at Damalgre playground on Friday last.
Besides addressing the key issues of the adolescents including reproductive & sexual health, the festival was also marked by various events and activities throughout the day including mini-marathon, free medical camp, IEC activities, talent show and games for children. The festival concluded with a musical concert in the evening featuring various artistes including Mikhael of well-known Garo band, Nokpante.
Participating as the chief guest at the inaugural function, local MLA Zenith Sangma expressed his joy to be part of this “much-needed programme” for the youths. “The youth are the assets of the society and if we cannot prepare them during their adolescent stages, we are going to pay heavy price in the future,” he said .
and called for investing more time and money on the youth and their all-round development.
Touching upon various issues of the adolescents and youth, including conflict with the law, depression and other health issues, Zenith Sangma advocated the youth to be self-regulating, to make effective use of time and to make it a habit to have a good sleep daily and drink plenty of water for their overall well-being.
He was of the view that depression and other mental problems occur due to communication gap between the parents and children as well as lack of proper nurturing and stressed the need to bridge the communication gap by having regular talks and sharing in the family.
BDO, Rerapara, RZD Shira, DM&HO, Ampati, Dr. KA Sangma, MS, Ampati Civil Hospital, Dr. JS Momin, Senior Medical Officer, Ampati, Dr. Lydia Marak, Clinical Psychologist, Dokatchi Marak, Circle Inspector, Ampati, Janice K Marak, DPM, Ampati, Shirley Sangma were among many other officials who attended the programme and talked on various topics relating to adolescent health and issues.
